Steiner Ranch Area Evacuation Route Design

Update for the Steiner Ranch Area Emergency Evacuation Route Project

During the initial phase of work, Travis County analyzed more than 12 vehicular evacuation paths. The project team worked closely with first responders, the Steiner Ranch Masters Association, the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association, the Montview neighborhood and Leander Independent School District. The project team held two open houses to discuss our progress and details of the routes analyzed. Information was presented at community meetings when requested.

All routes crossing the river were ruled out due to cost. Routes to the east and across the river were ruled out due to the inability to cross the protected lands within the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, shown in the Environmental Constraints Map.

From this initial phase, two routes remain viable for consideration, routes B and F. A decision has not yet been made to move either route forward.

Route F

After reviewing feedback from first responders, transportation engineers and long range planners, Route F was determined to be the most effective route for moving emergency vehicles into the community and personal vehicles out of the community. Route F adds flexibility during an emergency event, but Route F is not without challenges including a trail and ecosystem adjacent and within the proposed Route F improvements. If Route F should move forward, Travis County staff will work with the community to preserve the trails and ecosystem. Route F is more expensive than Route B and will take longer to construct. Route F is proposed as an open road for everyday traffic.

Route B

Route B is a viable yet less effective route for evacuation when compared to Route F. Route B will function as a one lane route due to existing road width, turns, and adjacent development. This will reduce flexibility, and the volume of inbound or outbound evacuation traffic. Route B is lower cost and can be built in a shorter time frame. Route B will not be open to everyday traffic, and will be closed and gated until first responders deem an evacuation route is needed.

Effectiveness of any proposed route is based upon predictable traffic volumes and evacuation studies. The Evacuation Traffic Summary Map indicates expected traffic volume during an emergency. Route F can move 100% more traffic out of Steiner in an emergency event and provides a route for inbound emergency vehicles. Route B can move one lane of traffic in or out, not both.

Steiner Ranch Area Evacuation Route Design

The Steiner Ranch Area Evacuation Route Design is a capital improvement project proposed to provide an additional evacuation route out of the Steiner Ranch area neighborhoods. This project is located in Travis County Precinct Two. The proposed funding is by 2017 Certificate of Obligation bonds.

Project Goals

Work with the community to balance needs, priorities and constraints to develop a feasible option that enhances safety and reduces evacuation time for the area.

Project Limits

Project Status

Over the past months we have evaluated more than 12 routes and are moving to finalize a preferred route for recommendation. Travis County TNR staff kicked off the project May 2018. An open house was held on August 9, 2018 to present the routes under consideration to the community, and provide information on what the routes are based. After the open house, the project team reviewed the community feedback and comments, and further refined the routes based on cost, constructability, safety, topography, traffic shaving, feedback and other considerations.

A meeting was held September 5, 2018 to discuss the project and comments with First Responders. In early December 2018, we reached out to the Community with a final list of three routes for consideration, resulting from the First Responders discussion. See the December 2018 meeting presentation.

A second open house was held on April 18, 2019. See the April 2019 open house presentation. Travis County will receive feedback and comments until May 3, 2019. Next step, present a recommendation to Travis County Commissioners, earliest presentation to Commission, June 2019.

A few facts about the project:

Routes under consideration are located in the NW area of the project limits. This area is advantageous for several reasons: close proximity to RM 620, the ability to move traffic congestion off of Quinlan Park Road, and could provide traffic diversion to the west or east at RM620. Updated Steiner Ranch Evacuation Route Alternates Map

During an emergency event, the emergency route will be used and controlled by First Responders.

Routes which are considered higher in ranking provide flexibility for First Responders, do not require a taking of residential property, reduces evacuation exit time and will move more evacuation traffic than existing, Evaluation Matrix.

The emergency route will consist of two (2) travel lanes.

Any routes that may cross the Balcones Canyon Land Preserve are not a consideration for this project. Balcones Canyon Land Preserve lands (BCP) are federally protected lands that cannot be crossed with a road and cannot be developed in any way. All BCP lands are shaded in green in the attached map for reference.

Crossings over Lake Austin were ruled out due to extreme costs and terrain issues. (there is a large bluff on the south side of the river that makes any bridge structure extremely tall and too costly). Furthermore, these crossings must also cross the BCP lands, which as indicated above is not allowed.

Public Outreach

Stay Updated

Join our mailing list or contact the project team by sending us an email.

Travis County wants to hear from residents and business owners who live, work and play in the Steiner Ranch neighborhood area. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the project, or would like to be included in project email communications, please email SteinerRanchEvacRoute@gmail.com.